Isaiah 21:11-12 - Exposition

THE BURDEN OF DUMAH . This short "burden" is probably to be understood as uttered with reference to Edom, which the prophet prefers to call " Dumah ," i.e. " silence ," in reference to the desolation which he sees to be coming upon the country. Such a play upon words is very usual in the East. Isaiah has already given an instance of it in the name under which he has designated Heliopolis ( Isaiah 19:18 ).